Week 77

Well, this is it. My last weekly letter. It doesn't feel real yet - probably because Christmas was yesterday and I always feel a huge boost after seeing my family (Plus I had my first white Christmas yesterday which made me extremely happy and put me into a mini daze). This week was awesome. Christmas is such a fun time to go and talk about, testify of, and celebrate the life and birth of our Savior, especially as a missionary. We have a lot of progress with all of our investigators, which only makes it harder to leave them.

I have been so blessed throughout my mission to be put with the people that I needed to grow and feel the love of my Heavenly Father. Every member, missionary, and non-member that I have gotten to teach and talk with has blessed my life in ways that I can't even start to express. I know that I was sent to this mission for a reason and it was 100% for the people that I needed to meet.

If there is anything I have learned these last 18 months it is that God is aware of every small detail of our lives, but we have to work to see that. Faith doesn't just come over night and it doesn't come without hard work. It can be frustrating to be put in positions to strengthen our faith, but if we stay strong it is always worth it. It’s worth it because we come closer to our Savior and can learn to rely on His strength.

One experience I had on my mission keeps coming back into my mind, so I thought I would share it. It wasn't an extraordinary experience, but it meant a lot to me. We were walking into an apartment complex in Phoenix and we saw a women crying on a bench. She was talking on the phone so we started to walk past her - she was talking about very hard things that were going on in her life. I felt like I needed to help her but I didn't know how. So I grabbed my tissues and walked up and handed them to her. She stood up, gave me a hug, and said, "I don't know you, I don't like missionaries, but I love you right now" and then went back to crying on the bench talking to her friend and we all went on with our day. I think that experience stayed with me because sometimes we all just need a little help, and God can send who we need. My favorite experiences and memories from my mission are the times where I felt God working through me to help someone. It didn't matter that she didn't accept us, or want to learn more. She got the help she needed that day and I felt so honored that God would trust me to help one of his children in their time of need.

God is real. He loves us enough to send His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. I know He lives. I have felt the spirit testify to me that there is a need for a modern day prophet to guide us on the earth and I know that Thomas S. Monson is that prophet. Joseph Smith really did bring back Jesus Christ's church. Because of that knowledge and these last 18 months of sharing it, my life will never be the same.

I love you all, thank you for all the support, encouragement, and prayers you have given me.

Have a wonderful new year,

Sister Doxey